Unwarranted Taunting and Violence Mar Arab Festival

A man with children dance in a circle, while International Yemen singer, Abdul Rahman, sings on Saturday, June 16, 2012. This was on Warren Avenue during the 2012 Arab International Festival in Dearborn. Thousands attended the annual event for fun, music, and food.

Let’s discuss a recent article in the news: Christian Taunts and Violence Mar Arab Festival in Michigan(Dolak). Christian protesters traveled across the country to Dearborn, Michigan, where they taunted the attendees and went so far as to sever a pig’s head. They held the head for three days at the 17th annual Arab International Festival. Long story short, violence broke out between festival goers and Christian protesters by Sunday.

There were three things that the protesters and signs were noted to saying:

It’s one thing to disagree with the beliefs of another religion, which is fine. It’s another thing to attack them (verbally, written, physically, etc.), which is not okay.

“You’re going to burn in hell.”

This has been said too many times throughout history. Why people have this belief, let alone say it, is beyond me.

This was said by a missionary. I don’t know about you, but saying or yelling this at me is not going to get me to convert to that faith. I’m not one of those people who joins a religion because someone threatened me. Also, most other faiths don’t believe in hell.

Anyway, this was not the time or the place to even attempt saying this. This was a festival to bring people together, not to tear them apart.

Believe what you want about Muhammad. He may or may not be a prophet. I’m not here to argue either. Muhammad is the Muslim prophet. Any violence associated with Muhammad you find online has to do with survival. The pagans of the land wanted him and his followers dead (“Muhammad”).

“Islam is a religion of blood and murder.”

This statement is completely false. Islam is a religion of peace and love. This comes from people falsely thinking that every Muslim is just like the extremists.

Christians also need to take a look at their own history. Christianity is full of blood and murder. Let’s begin to list a few:

Spanish Inquisition

Salem Witch Trials

Deaths because of “heresy”

Stoning that is commanded as punishment for breaking certain commandments.

Every war, battle, and conflict done in the name of God

This list goes on.

Conlusion

Kaseeem Allie said (Dolak):

This festival is designed for people to have fun, to celebrate and enjoy their background and cultures. And for someone to come in and make something negative out of it is very unfortunate.

The Christians who were part of the protest give Christians a bad name. Shame on those of you who were part of the protest. You could have chosen to learn about Islam, or you could have avoided the festival entirely. There was no need for this.